Rudy's fat custom Harley Softail is sure to please.
When you've built custom lowriders and you've been on the scene for a while, you say to yourself, "What do I do now?" You build a fat custom Harley. That's exactly what Rudy Hernandez of Victorville, California, did, and not just any Harley, but a '94 two-tone antique white and silver Heritage Nostalgia Softail, one of just 1,500 made in that color combination. The previous owner had the bike in storage for almost two years. The owner lost interest and decided to put the bike up for sale. Timing is everything; Rudy was looking for a new project and the Harley was perfect.
The bike had some mild customizing already, but Rudy wanted a more personal touch. Rudy felt that performance was first on the agenda. The bike was taken to veterano bike engine builder Memo "Grumpy" Siqueiro of Grumpy's Busted Knuckle Kustoms in Adelanto, California. There, Memo took over and started to create a engine that not only looked cool, but had the power and reliability that's needed for those long cruises to biker events all over Southern California. Every nut and bolt was either replaced with a custom chrome one or was painted.
After the motor was thoroughly massaged, Rudy began to add even more chrome. A new chrome primary cover from Screaming Eagle Accessories screams to perfection. What chrome pieces didn't come from Screaming Eagle came from Pro-One Billet Accessories in Pomona, California. Stainless steel-braided brake lines, and speedo and clutch cables give the custom look throughout the bike.
To protect this large investment from dings, scratches or the occasional shopping cart at the local Albertsons, Rudy installed chrome fender guards that serve their purpose well and look cool too. Up front, 33-inch beach cruiser handlebars make the long and short rides more comfortable. Top them off with custom billet handgrips and hang on.
Any self-respecting lowrider can't leave the suspension stock, so Rudy lowered the big H-D 2 inches front and back, achieving the low stance that we all love. You can't sit low if you're not sitting on a custom black solo seat. Sorry, ladies, this vato rides alone. Seriously, Rudy loved the look of the solo seat, and with a new baby on the way, it just wouldn't work out anyway. Rudy's wife hinted that after the baby is born she may want a custom bike too, maybe with a sidecar.
As time went by, Rudy kept adding custom pieces every month. One big add-on was the wheel/tire combo. Glittering 16-inch diamond-spoke Harley wheels mounted on Dunlop Elite MT 90/B16-74H tires round out this big boy. These tires were made to handle those long trips on the freeway.
To keep with the lowrider love for the ladies, Rudy installed a custom speedometer with a '50s pinup in the center, reminiscent of Bettie Page, the famous model from the '50s and '60s. Rudy said that it also helps him pay closer attention to his speed on the busy SoCal freeways.
Rudy wanted to give a special thanks to his supportive wife, Corina, and also to his dad, Ed Hernandez, for all of his help and support. So whether bar-hopping locally or taking the long cruises to Laughlin. Nevada, this lowrider biker can cruise it low and slow or hard and fast, depending on the weather, of course! Ride on!